How to spend a day in LA - your thoughts

[bigjobs]

G'day All,

On Easter Monday I have a day in LA with a work colleague and we are looking for something worthwhile to spend our day on.

we are currently thinking of a city sights tour.

we are staying at the airport hilton and arrive into LA at 7am Easter Monday and then leave LA at 14.45 on Tuesday afternoon.

any ideas, experiences, thoughts and so forth that you can offer will be welcomed.

We have only transited through LA previously so this is our first venture outside of LAX and we would like to know what others recommend.

Thanks in advance for your ideas and suggestions and safe travels.

Cheers.

 

[straitman]

G'day All,

On Easter Monday I have a day in LA with a work colleague and we are looking for something worthwhile to spend our day on.

we are currently thinking of a city sights tour.

we are staying at the airport hilton and arrive into LA at 7am Easter Monday and then leave LA at 14.45 on Tuesday afternoon.

any ideas, experiences, thoughts and so forth that you can offer will be welcomed.

We have only transited through LA previously so this is our first venture outside of LAX and we would like to know what others recommend.

Thanks in advance for your ideas and suggestions and safe travels.

Cheers.

In the past I have rented a car and travelled down to Long Beach and spent the day (and overnight) on the Queen Mary. More than enough history and information to keep you going for the time you mention. 8) 8)

 

[shillard]

When time permits I like to pop in here:

http://www.laxrange.com/


But if you get to Arizona, this is the place to be:

http://www.gunsite.com/index.htm

 

[infoworks]

San Francisco???

 

[straitman]

San Francisco???

Good call :!:

 

[shillard]

Just be sure to wear a flower in your hair.

Beats a day in the valley sinking booze.

 

[Maca44]

I concur with other OP that SFO is better than LAX, but you have no choice. I went to a bar near the Marriott at Marina Del Rey called TCI Fridays a few years ago, which might be nice for the evening. For the day you might want to look at http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g32655-Activities-Los_Angeles_California.html
This give an overview of things to do, and after you look around the place for a day you will appreciate the advantages of transitting through LAX. In saying that, its the cheapest place for families to visit Disneyland, Universal Studios etc.

 

[QF WP]

On a trip 2 year ago, Mrs LW and I arrived in LAX with a <24 hour transit. We were lucky enough to be met by a FT'er (alect) who drove us down to the Santa Monica Pier and we spent the afternoon there.

Doing a day tour on your arrival might be interesting (depending on how you sleep on the flight over). You might be snoring as you pass by all the sights .

Certainly, on AM Day 2, I would get out and about but be mindful of LAX being a zoo Monday PM with all the pax returning from their Easter break. Allow yourself plenty of time to get TSA-frisked...

 

[justme]

I would also agree - don't bother with a city tour - seriously, there's not that much to see in a day unless you are under 20 and/or have a thing for theme parks!!

I'd also add my vote to spending the day at one of the beaches - in the end, the most entertainment in LA comes from people watching.

 

[flyer4703]

a day in LA

Take a trip to Santa Monica great shopping on 3rd St Promenade and Montana Ave and lots of good places to eat.
If the weathers good walk, hire a bike or rollerblade from Santa Monica along the beach to Venice Beach.
Lots of great buskers and the locals make for good people watching, weekends they usually have markets along the beach walk, don't know if they would operate on Monday.

 

[davocns]

Agree with flyer4703, spend the day down at Santa Monica/Venice Beach .Then if you can, get around Beverly Hills /Sunset Blvd/West Hollywood/Hollywood Blvd for the evening.Enjoy !

 

[flyer4703]

a day in LA

If you would like to visit Beverly Hills /Sunset Blvd/West Hollywood/Hollywood Blvd as suggested by Davocns consider hiring a car.
Driving in LA is quite easy, the freeways can be exciting but once you get to Santa Monica you can get to all of the locations and more mentioned by Davocns by driving the length of Santa Monica Blvd

I always rent a Hertz car with neverlost system, that way you can concentrate on driving and not have to worry about navigation, it's a great system enter a location in LA or anywhere the USA for that matter and it will guide you there.

LA is a great city and a car makes it much easier to explore.

If you don't want to hire a car it is not expensive to get to Santa Monica from the lax area by taxi I have always found the taxi drivers in LA to be honest they don't seem to take you for a ride. Just remember to tip them when you get out.

 

[infoworks]

I enjoy the Manhattan/Redondo Beach area for some nice places to eat and look out onto the beach as well as some OK shopping.

 

[shillard]

On a trip 2 year ago, Mrs LW and I arrived in LAX with a <24 hour transit. We were lucky enough to be met by a FT'er (alect) who drove us down to the Santa Monica Pier and we spent the afternoon there.

Overnighted at Santa Monica once, the 4 points sheraton there.

cough hotel - avoid it like the plague.

Decent selection of restaurants nearby, including one very decent Italian place, buggered if I can recall the name. Good selection of beachfront bars as well. One even had a beer garden, an Aussie barman and served Boags(!) back in 2002.

Boy was I pleased.

 

[NM]

Some things I have done in LA when there for a day:

Day visit to Disneyland
Day visit to Universal Studios (yes, I can be a big kid for a day)
Dinner at The Magic Castle with a work colleague

 

[BlacKnox]

Maybe this post is too late...

FWIW there's a stripbar behind the LAX Hilton if that's your thing :shock: .

If you're the adventurous type, I'd hire a car and visit the beaches, and from Santa Monica drive up sunset boulevard into Hollyweird, passing some of the magnificient homes on the way.

If you want to relax, then the city sights tour isn't a bad idea for a first-timer to get your bearings etc, and perhaps would help for your next visit. IIRC it's about US$80 for a no-frills day tour.